Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 47

Engaged

The months have gone by really quick. Aiden has been better since Zaid left, and now he's been back to his normal upbeat self.

He's taken up his game.

Both in basketball and in bed.

My legs are sore as I walk outside. The air is cold, freezing my nose, but I don't complain. It's better than the unbearable heat. Aiden's had an amazing first half of basketball season and next year they're hoping to go to the state tournament.

I wrap my arms around myself to keep in some of the warmth.

Winter break is next week, and all I can think about is Zaid.

It makes me feel guilty. That I'm excited that he'll be in town. I've never had a pleasant experience with him, and I should hate him, but just the thought of maybe seeing him again...

I shudder.

Sometimes I get this gut feeling that he's watching me, but when I turn to face the

corner

of whatever room I'm in, he's never there. Of course he's not.

I hate myself for missing his charms, even though they annoyed me, even though

he tested every inch of my sanity when he was here.

I can't explain the way his face haunts my dreams.

That I sometimes think about him, even when it is Aiden deep inside me.

I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away. I shouldn't feel this way. I'm with

Aiden.

Zaid is his brother, and whatever chemistry there was between us before he left is nothing.

But I still haven't gotten Aiden to talk about the night Zaid got arrested. Every time

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bring it up, he shuts down, changes the subject, or tells me it doesn't matter anymore.

in my pocket, pulling me from my

over now. It's

like that and I know immediately that something is off. I stuff my phone back in my coat pocket and head in the opposite direction, toward his

get there, Aiden opens the door quickly, as if he's been looking out the window and waiting for me to get home. He

him, twisting as he harshly pulls the

his head and I frown at him, feeling strange. He looks upset, running a hand through his hair before looking at

Alina," he says, his voice quiet, almost

frown, stepping further inside. "Sorry

sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't know, okay? I had

by the elbow and walks me into the hallways. Confusion unfurls inside me and I have half

Didn't know what?"

entrance to the living room, his shoulders tense.

words not quite registering at first. Jake. Jake is engaged. It's been almost

my stomach to twist the

frown, trying to rein in the

right away. Something else is

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the living room,

the middle of

to

as I try to make

drop to her finger, an enormous rock glinting beneath the room light. Nausea rolls

movement not reaches his eyes and he places a hand at my

waving her hand at me as if I could

from across the room.

behind me, his hand at

eyes dart between Jake and my mother, the uncomfortable tension filling the space as they stand

and I clear my throat,

that terrible smile still on his face."We wanted to tell you

so you

that,"

his face pale, his jaw clenched. He's horrified, too.

the way he can't even look

step toward me, her

wonderful news?"

"Wonderful news?" I scoff.

Jake flinches.

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me. "Why are you